Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is a well-known Korean avenue meals market positioned pretty near the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. This conventional meals market presents quite a lot of conventional Korean avenue meals from Mungbean pancakes, mandu (Korean dumplings), and extra. If you wish to get conventional Korean meals in South Korea, that is the place to do it. If you’re new to Korea or simply touring it’s a must to add Gwangjang market to your locations to go to no less than as soon as in your lifetime.
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Gwangjang Market | What to eat in Seoul’s Conventional Market
This market is Seoul’s oldest conventional market to get conventional clothes, conventional avenue meals, and extra. Gwangjang Evening Market is when a lot of the motion occurs, however there are some staff that are available in to eat meals throughout the lunch rush. Gwangjang Market is also called Gwangjang sijang and Kwang jang Market. Kwangjang is the previous spelling and sijang simply means market in Korean.
Why is Gwangjang Market Common?
Gwangjang market is a well-liked Seoul meals market as a result of it’s the oldest market in Seoul. It’s not solely identified for its Gwangjang market avenue meals, however it’s also possible to get a whole lot of nice clothes gadgets on this space. It’s thought of to be one in all Korea’s largest markets and is positioned within the coronary heart of Seoul. Right here you’ll find quite a lot of issues from silk, custom-made hanboks, classic clothes, and conventional Korean avenue meals. If you’re trying extra for garments, then I extremely recommend visiting Dongdaemun market.
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What to eat at Gwangjang Market | Common Korean Road Meals in Gwangjang market
There are such a lot of nice meals stalls at Gwangjang Market and it has at all times been well-liked amongst vacationers visiting South Korea. Nevertheless, it has lately change into much more well-liked because of the well-known Gwangjang Netflix sequence on Korean Road Meals. If you’re planning to go to Gwangjang Market, then these are the Korean avenue meals you might want to attempt there. I’ve listed Gwangjang market well-known meals choices under.
In contrast to the meals market Myeongdong, the meals at Gwangjang market is extra conventional compared. Listed below are a number of the hottest issues to eat at Gwangjang market.
Undecided what to eat or really feel intimidated? Guide this Gwangjang Market meals tour!
Bindaetteok – Mungbean Pancakes – finest meals at gwangjang market
Gwangjang market Meals is understood for these well-known and well-liked mung bean pancakes and all for good cause as properly. You’ll go right here and have one and I’m certain you’ll crave one other and wish to return. This Gwangjang market pancake jogs my memory of potato pancakes and are heat and a bit crispy on the surface. It’s completely scrumptious and a should eat at Gwangjang market.
Kimbap or Gimbap
This well-liked Korean dish is finest described as a Korean model of sushi. Nevertheless, as a substitute of uncooked fish, this dish is normally full of greens and meat together with carrots, cucumbers, pickled radishes, and meats like bulgogi (marinated beef), tuna, and extra. You may get quite a lot of various kinds of kimbap, though the smaller or mini ones referred to as Mayak kimbap additionally spelled Mayak gimbap are thought of to be extra favorable on this market.
Kalguksu
This Gwangjang market kalguksu conventional Korean soup is stuffed with knife-cut Korean-style noodles. This soup is nice for preserving you heat throughout the chilly winter months and full of consolation and taste. There are various kinds of Kalguksu you may get from seafood to beef.
This soup is gentle in taste that means it isn’t spicy nonetheless like most Korean dishes is commonly served with a facet of kimchi. In the event you plan to go go to the Gwangjang Market Netflix girl, that is one in all her hottest dishes and one of the crucial well-liked knife-cut noodles att Gwangjang market – she is named the Netflix kalguksu girl.
Mandu
There are two typical sorts of mandu or dumplings which can be typical in Korea. There may be the normal taste stuffed with minced meat and veggies and the kimchi mandu which is stuffed with imply and kimchi. Kimchi mandu is barely frequent in Korea and it’s one in all my favorites to eat in Korea. They’re so scrumptious and you may’t go away this market with out consuming them.
Most Koreans eat it steamed or in a soup, nonetheless, there are locations that pan-fry them. I normally like them panfried, nonetheless, it truthfully is determined by how they’re made and what they’re full of. The lady from the Netflix stand has each the normal and kimchi mandu and let me let you know, that kimchi mandu is one thing I wish to return for.
떡볶이 – Tteokbokki
This can be a well-liked Korean avenue meals at Gwangjang market that’s product of cylinder-shaped rice muffins and coated in a candy and spicy sauce. You’ll be able to see such a avenue meals throughout South Korea and it’s one of the crucial well-liked avenue meals to get pleasure from. In the event you haven’t had it or discovered different distributors in different areas, remember to have some right here.
육회 – Yuk-hoe or Steak Tartare
This market may be very well-liked for the steak tartare. They normally prime it off with a uncooked yellow yolk that you just combine in with the steak tartare. Though I didn’t get an opportunity to attempt it right here as a result of I used to be so full off of all the things else, it seemed completely scrumptious and I plan to return and have some. I actually get pleasure from beef tartare in South Korea as a result of it’s so flavorful and frivolously seasoned.
Soondae
Greatest often called blood sausages. This dish is for the adventurous as a result of it’s a bit chewy in texture and blood sausages are normally stuffed pig intestines. They’re fairly scrumptious however will be considerably bland as properly. I believe the feel is what most individuals dislike about it.
Sannakji
Though you may get stay octopus right here, I’d recommend you wait and get it at one of many fish markets in Seoul or Jagalchi market in Busan. In the event you don’t have an opportunity to go to these locations, then you may attempt it right here. It’s one in all my favourite dishes to eat in South Korea. It’s a freshly reduce octopus coated in sesame oil, sesame seeds and a bit little bit of salt. The octopus remains to be transferring on the plate and you could want to make use of your chopsticks to pry the transferring tentacles, however truthfully, don’t let that scare you away.
Soy Marinated Crab
Soy Marinated Crab at Gwangjang Market in Seoul is a must-try delicacy. This dish options crab marinated in a mix of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sweetness. The meat is tender, and the roe presents a wealthy, oceanic taste. It’s a hands-on consuming expertise that captures the essence of Korean avenue meals.
Different choices you possibly can eat at Gwangjang Market
- 비빔밥 – Bimbimbap – A spicy rice dish with veggies and meat
- 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup
- 족발 – Jokbal – Pigs toes
- 닭발 – Dalkbal – Rooster toes
Desserts at Gwangjang Market
Hotteok
This well-liked avenue meals in Korea and normally served throughout the winter months. I solely discovered a number of stalls on the Gwangjang market that had them, however in the event you discover them it’s completely value trying out. It’s my favourite dessert avenue meals possibility in South Korea. A hotteok is a candy rice flour pancake that’s normally full of brown sugar and generally sunflower seeds and nuts relying on the seller.
꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut
Proper subsequent to the hotteok stand I noticed contained in the Gwangjang market was a stall promoting Gwabaegi which is a well-liked Korean doughnut. This can be a extremely popular donut that’s product of rice flour so it’s a bit stickier than common donuts. They’re normally scorching and contemporary in an effort to be good and coated in sugar and generally cinnamon sugar. If you’re a donut lover like myself, you should attempt one in all these donuts.
붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang
Now, this can be a well-liked snack amongst many Asian children. It was my favourite rising up and in the event you aren’t a giant fan of candy purple beans then I don’t recommend you order this. This can be a fish-shaped pastry full of sweetened purple bean paste. This well-liked dish originated in Japan and was introduced over and change into a preferred staple in Korean avenue meals delicacies.
호두과자 – Hodo Kwaja
These pleasant treats are created from a comfortable, cake-like batter that’s poured right into a walnut-shaped mould. Inside, you’ll usually discover a filling of candy purple bean paste, and generally even a bit of walnut for that further crunch. The mould is then closed and baked till the surface turns a golden brown. The consequence? A heat, fluffy pastry with a gooey, candy heart.
Hodo Kwaja is a well-liked snack not only for vacationers but in addition for locals. It’s like a hug on your style buds—comforting, candy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, they’re normally offered in little paper baggage, making them the proper on-the-go snack as you proceed to discover the wonders of Gwangjang Market.
The place to buy at Gwangjang Market
So the entire avenue meals distributors are usually on the primary flooring. If you wish to search for materials, clothes, and extra, they’re totally on the second flooring. There are a number of distributors on the primary flooring down some alleyways as properly. I’d say that the extra prestigious ones are upstairs with increased high quality, nonetheless, I discover all of them to be fairly nice in design. I extremely recommend taking one in all Gwangjang Market’s day excursions in Seoul to get extra out of it.
The way to get to Gwangjang Market and Opening Hours
- Gwangjang Market Opening hours: Sometimes 8:30 am – 6 pm every day however the eating places are normally 8:30 am to 11:00 pm, however I recommend you go within the afternoon or night regardless that locations are opening within the morning, most of them are prepping the meals for the day. Some locations are closed on Sunday.
- Deal with: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동)
- The way to get there: Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will notice the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
- Costs: Okayorean avenue meals costs differ, on the Netflix stall we paid 10,000 gained (~$9USD) for a bowl of Kalguksu and Mandu. We shared the dish and it was fairly filling for two folks. The Bindaetteok was about 2 for 3,000 gained (~$2.50). So truthfully, it is determined by the place you go and what you get. Most locations are 1,500 gained and up.
- Web site: www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr
Issues to do close to Gwangjang Market
There are a whole lot of issues to do close to Gwangjang Market. Apart from consuming foot at Gwangjang market, right here are some things I recommend you do whereas right here.
Buy a Hanbok
The Hanbok is a standard Korean gown characterised by its vibrant colours and easy strains. The ladies’s model normally consists of a jeogori (shirt) and a chima (skirt), whereas the boys’s model has a jeogori and baji (pants). It’s an emblem of Korean tradition and heritage, usually worn on particular events and holidays.
Now, why do you have to purchase it at Gwangjang Market? Nicely, my good friend, this market is sort of a treasure trove for genuine, high-quality Hanboks. In contrast to the mass-produced variations you may discover elsewhere, the Hanboks right here are sometimes handmade, stitched collectively by artisans who’ve honed their craft over many years. You’ll be able to really feel the love and custom in each thread. Plus, the variability is astounding—whether or not you need one thing conventional or a contemporary twist, you’ll discover it right here. And let’s not neglect, the costs are sometimes far more cheap in comparison with specialty boutiques.
Purchase Conventional Souviners
Gwangjang Market is sort of a treasure chest in the case of conventional Korean souvenirs. Let’s go on a bit digital purchasing spree, lets?
- Korean Pottery: Whether or not it’s a celadon vase or a cute kimchi pot, Korean pottery is famend for its craftsmanship. These make for elegant presents or dwelling decor.
- Korean Followers: Hand-painted with intricate designs, these followers are usually not simply practical but in addition extremely stunning. They’re straightforward to pack and make for an enthralling reward.
- Conventional Masks: Generally known as “Hahoe,” these masks are sometimes utilized in conventional Korean performs and dances. They make for distinctive wall decorations and are a fantastic dialog starter.
- Korean Tea Units: In the event you’re a tea lover, you’ll adore the normal Korean tea units. They usually include a teapot, cups, and a serving tray, all exquisitely designed.
- Korean Snacks: From dried seaweed to honey-filled “Yakgwa” cookies, Korean snacks are a tasty memento that gained’t final lengthy however will likely be remembered!
- Calligraphy Units: In the event you’re into artwork or writing, a standard Korean calligraphy set could possibly be a significant memento. It normally consists of brushes, ink, and paper—all you might want to attempt your hand at this historic artwork type.
- Jewellery: Yow will discover stunning items product of jade, a stone that holds particular significance in Korean tradition. It’s stated to carry good luck and prosperity.
- Silk Scarves: These are sometimes hand-painted and have conventional Korean patterns. They’re light-weight, making them straightforward to pack, they usually add a contact of magnificence to any outfit.
- Korean Ginseng: Recognized for its well being advantages, Korean ginseng is a well-liked reward. Yow will discover it in varied varieties, from roots to extracts and teas.
Gwangjang Market FAQs
Is Gwangjang market indoors?
It’s not positioned indoors, nonetheless, it’s underneath a coated construction. It’s a big open area with roofing which prevents rain and different climate from ruining your probabilities of consuming at this classic market in Seoul.
The place is Gwangjang market positioned?
It’s positioned in Seoul, South Korea. The tackle is 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 (예지동).
Does Gwangjang market take card?
Not usually. This Korean meals market in Seoul is just about a cash-heavy space to seize low cost and scrumptious meals. Myeongdong meals market is just about the identical as properly.
What’s the kimbap Korean spelling?
김밥 is the Korean spelling for Gimbap or Kimbap.
What are the very best meals in Gwangjang Market?
I’ve listed them above, however to be quick and concise, the highest decisions are binddatteok, kimbap particularly mayak kimbap, Kalguksu, mandu, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, 육회 – Yuk-hoe or Steak Tartare, Soondae, Sannakji, 비빔밥 – Bimbimbap – A spicy rice dish with veggies and meat, 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup, 족발 – Jokbal – Pigs toes, 닭발 – Dalkbal – Rooster toes, Hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, and 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang.
What are some halal meals at Gwangjang market?
Whereas I can’t assure any of the meat is halal, listed below are some halal choices you possibly can take into account: Gohyang Kalguksu, hotteok, 꽈배기 – Twisted Korean doughnut, 붕어빵 – Bungeo-ppang, 떡볶이 – Tteokbokki, some mayak kimbap, and 물냉면 – Mul-naengmyeon – Chilly noodle soup.
The way to go to Gwangjang market by subway
Take the subway to Jongno-5 station and exit quantity 7. Head straight and you will notice the doorway to the market in your right-hand facet.
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